Q: Travellers Choice’s new professional training course, ProAdvance, is designed to help experienced consultants step up into management roles. What was the biggest lesson you took away from the course and what did it mean to you to be one of the first participants?
A: ProAdvance really reignited my passion for the industry. The biggest lesson I took away from the course is that we never stop growing and learning.
Reaching a leadership position doesn’t mean you have all the answers, only that you can keep calm while you navigate the challenges.
It was an honour to be selected as one of the first participants in the course. It gave me a real confidence boost to know that my potential had already been recognised.
Q: How has it changed the way you approach your role or think about your future in the travel industry?
A: During the course I was promoted from Senior Consultant to Office Manager. While this was always a goal of mine, ProAdvance helped me recognise the importance of ongoing self-reflection and how it can shape the way I lead and support my team.
I feel a lot more confident sharing my perspective and experiences within the wider travel industry.
I’m better equipped to embrace new challenges, contribute to conversations beyond my own agency and continue growing into the leader I aspire to be.
Q: What do you think is the biggest adjustment when moving from being an experienced travel consultant to becoming a leader?
A: One of the biggest adjustments is shifting from being a colleague to becoming someone who provides guidance, support and constructive feedback.
Leadership means taking on different responsibilities and encouraging the team to learn and grow alongside you. It’s about finding the balance of maintaining those relationships while stepping into your new role.
Q: How valuable was it to learn alongside your peers in the Travellers Choice network and do you think the relationships you have built could lead to opportunities or collaborations beyond the program?
A: Learning alongside my peers was a fantastic opportunity to build relationships and share ideas.
There are great opportunities for agency owners to connect at conferences and state meetings, as well as for junior consultants through training sessions, but I think experienced consultants can sometimes fall through the gaps.
Getting to discuss inspirations, challenges and goals with other consultants sparked many ideas and new perspectives for us all.
I can definitely see the potential for these relationships to continue and create opportunities for collaboration and ongoing support in the future.
Q: Do you believe there is a gap in career development opportunities in the travel industry as a whole and how will programs such as ProAdvance help address it?
A: Yes, I believe there is a gap in career development opportunities within the travel industry.
Sometimes, it can feel as though the only pathways are being a junior consultant working under someone else or becoming a business owner, with very little in between for those who may not want to start their own business.
I believe ProAdvance will equip those consultants with the skills, confidence and tools to grow as leaders within their existing roles. It shows that career progression and success doesn’t have to mean going out on your own.
By investing in the development of individuals as leaders, Travellers Choice, through this program, is helping its members create stronger teams, better workplaces and, ultimately, more successful businesses.
Q: Looking ahead, what do you hope will come from your participation in ProAdvance over the next few years, both for your own career and for the agency or team you work with?
A: I hope my participation in ProAdvance continues to inspire my team in the same way it has inspired me.
I’ve always been one to share ideas and offer a different perspective within the agency, but now I feel more confident in communicating my values and goals in a positive, constructive way.
I’m also more confident in taking on responsibilities beyond traditional consulting and exploring new opportunities for growth. Looking ahead, I want to continue developing as a leader, make meaningful contributions to my team and, one day, have the opportunity to run my own business.
About ProAdvance: Using a combination of self-paced learning modules and monthly Zoom ‘masterclasses’, the six-month course explored topics such as developing a leadership mindset, strategic communication, people management and innovative thinking. In addition, modules tackled vital practical skills such as financial forecasting and reporting.
